Crufts

JUDGING CRITIQUE

SHOW: CRUFTS

DATE: 09.03.23

BREED: Golden Retriever Dogs

JUDGE: Lynn Kipps WHEATCROFT

Total Dogs: Entered: 235 / Absent: 42 / Present: 193

DCC & BOB: Savage Miss K IR SH CH WEISFORD GUILTY AS SIN (IKC)

RDCC: Dunbar Miss L SH CH LINIRGOR TOMICH JW

BPD: Kocsis Krisztina Mrs H GLITTERS VAINQUEUR DE GOLIATH (ATC BEL)

BVD: Trinder Mr A SH CH THORNYWAIT SAN VALENTINO JW ShCM

This was the 75th time I have judged Golden Retrievers all over the world including The World Dog Show. But “CRUFTS” has to be the pinnacle of my Judging Career. Such an honour and I enjoyed every second.

Thank you to my amazing hard-working Ring Managers: Di Rourke-Knights and Barbara Gentleman, and to all the owners of these beautifully presented dogs who had battled through snow to get them from the car park to the hall, cleaned them up and had them looking pristine in the ring. I feel so very privileged. Thanks to my co-judge Ray Strudwick with who we were in agreement with all our wins. Thanks also to the audience for their great applause, appreciating the chance to view so many quality Goldens. Thank goodness we were on a Thursday and the audience was ringing with mostly Golden Appreciators.

So, in order to make my final decisions… I kept the “breed’s intended purpose” to the forefront of my mind when assessing these beautiful dogs: “A Retriever of Game Companion Dog”. I don’t work my dogs and many show dogs are also not used for working, so that absolutely didn’t sway my decisions, but the dog had to look like he had the structure, muscle tone and attitude to do a day’s work.

His personality should be immediately evident from his face and attitude. He should be of: balanced proportions, sound and in hard working condition. All these factors are paramount to him being able to demonstrate his correct structure and muscular condition to enable him to move round the ring ‘efficiently’ using the least amount of energy with the correct amount of reach and drive. And displaying great head carriage, level topline and level tail carriage.

Some dogs had great profile structure, but unfortunately fell apart on the move due to lack of muscle tone.

The majority of dogs possessed “great attitude”, which is partly inherited, and partly taught by the owner who teaches the dog “the desire to please his owner” in all disciplines including ‘showmanship’.

Never in all the 74 previous shows that I have judged Goldens have I ever experienced such a high percentage of top-quality dogs on this scale. With so many superb examples of our breed, I had to be extra fastidious with my final cuts, and they came from dogs that just pulled out all the stops. They had balanced conformation, muscle tone, movement, attitude and ring presence that took my breath away. So, I’m not writing a lot on each of the dogs as I had the honour of so many dogs that are meeting all the essentials of the breed standard: conformation, balance, muscle tone, attitude and with amazing movement that proves all those essentials.

VETERAN DOG (30 Entries, 10 Absent)

1st Trinder Mr A SH CH THORNYWAIT SAN VALENTINO JW ShCM

Such a great career this dog has had, always pulling out the stops to make him catch your eye and shine above the rest. And today was no exception. Great presentation, classic outline, in great muscular condition. From the cut in this huge class, his final run round displayed great ring presence, with excellent reach and drive to cinch him a 1st place in this top quality class.

2nd Loverock Mrs MC & Waldron-Smith Mrs L LOVISSA SPACE DUST ShCM

Another top-quality Golden, and one that I have done well nearly 6 years ago at the GRC Club Show. He’s continued to maintain top quality form and great condition for his 8.5 years. Today he still looks fabulous and moved so very well.

3rd Gray Mrs C KNOCKOTHIE FAIRWAY

Great balanced dog in excellent muscle tone with superb length of neck flowing into perfect front construction and balanced rear angulation, beautifully shown, so attentive to owner.

Res Heffernan Mr M IR SH CH CUMMAC PASTURES OF GOLD

Vhc Millington Mrs J CARNEVAL OF GOLDEN DUCK COBEY AT JARABEES (IMP SRB)

PUPPY DOG (13 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st Murray Mrs K SHEBELTA SWEET TALKIN' GUY JW

What a cracker…. Nothing overdone … just a picture of balance for his age. Freestanding he drops perfectly into the desired shape, when viewed from all angles. He had good muscle tone which enabled him to prove his structure and move so well and positively, sure he has a bright future.

2nd Lewis Mrs S & Miss M FAIRWINDS IN SPACE MAN

This is a beautiful high-quality puppy that has so many good assets, strong masculine head with good expression, clean, lengthy muscular neck, very balanced angulation front and rear. Levelest of toplines. He moved really well from strong rear quarters, with good attitude and balance, he’s only young so has chance to come up on his legs to balance his length of body.

3rd Harris Miss A & Ball Mr N WEMCREST MAN OF LA MANCHA

Lovely quality short-coupled pup, with balanced angulation fore and aft, great reach of neck, moved truly and positively.

Res Wright Mr J & Mrs C PALTON PLATINO

Vhc O'Neill Mrs L STRATHLON ISLAND LAD

JUNIOR DOG (23 Entries, 0 Absent)

1st Mata Lopez Mr J KURTUBA QUINTO CALIFA (ATC ESP)

Wow! What a stunning outline dog, so beautifully presented and in hard muscular condition. Clean strong neck into well laid shoulder blade. Correct depth and spring of rib, short coupled. Balanced rear angles. He didn’t disappoint on the move, where he covered the ground with drive, purpose and style.

2nd Reid Miss K SYBITON GINGER NUT

Such a lovely young dog, only just turned 12 months, he’s got a good future ahead of him. I liked that he had no exaggerations. Good substance and muscle tone. Soft head and expression. Impressive balanced profile, great reach of muscular neck into well laid shoulder and level topline. He carried himself well on the move with sound driving movement.

3rd Kocsis Krisztina Mrs H GLITTERS VAINQUEUR DE GOLIATH (ATC BEL)

This one was a puppy entered in Junior … so contested the PUPPY WINNER and Won to get Best Puppy Dog.

He has a super outline and was the greatest of movers. He is right for his age and when he drops into his frame and matures he will make a great dog.

Res Ori-Korompai Mrs TRUBLISS ONLY LOVE CAN SAVE YOU (ATC POL)

Vhc Gutierrez Ramirez Mr I MAYBE FOREVER TIMELESS (ATC ESP)

YEARLING DOG (35 Entries, 3 Absent)

1st Oakes Ms D DRUMKILTY VANADIUM JW

Larger framed boy with superb substance and muscle tone in great coat and condition. Very balanced with no exaggerations. Beautiful masculine head, strong reachy neck into correct layback, level topline, short-coupled. Moved perfectly with great purpose and drive when viewed from all angles. Sure, he has a bright future.

2nd Noferi Mrs S & Saz Orozco Mr A TERRA DI SIENA I'M A DREAMER (ATC ESP)

Such a great ambassador for our lovely temperament breed… shown beautifully and never stopped wagging at the owner, superb conformation and muscular condition, moved soundly with level profile.

3rd Gerhold Mrs J NAVILIS VIVAT VIVALDI (IMP UKR) JW

Short-coupled boy, very balanced angulation, in super coat, showing so well. Great defined muscular condition, confirmed by my hands on, moved superbly from all angles.

Res Bolton Mr RC & Mrs J MEGARVEY STILL GAME FOR SHIRESMILL JW

Vhc Carro Mr B & Mrs B PARABELLUM DE LAR DE CASANOVA (ATC ESP)

UGD (16 Entries, 3 Absent)

1st Bolano Mr J DAILY RAYS TRUST YOUR HEART (ATC ESP)

Superb balanced outline with no exaggerations. Lovely head and expression. His great construction and muscle tone allowed him to move effortlessly with great elegance and drive, maintaining the levelest of toplines.

2nd Reid Miss K SYBITON GINGER NUT

(2nd Junior)

3rd Ellis Mrs JS WARRENTOR STRIKE A LIGHT FOR FITZFORD

Very balanced frame, proved on the move, in good coat and muscular condition. His great effortless movement won him this place, he just needs to body up and drop in flank.

Res Kloek Miss ECM CRAZY IN LOVE OF PICABOO STREET (ATC NLD)

Vhc Wainwright Mrs L GOLDENMAJKO MAKE BELIEVE (IMP POL)

GD (26 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Williams Miss KJ BERRYMEADE COEUR BLIMEY AT BUSHEYHALL SGWC

Impressive, balanced mature boy, so much to like. No exaggerations. Great depth of body and substance, shown today in fabulous coat and muscular condition. Strong level body. Classic head with great expression. He outmoved the rest of this quality class with his purposeful sound movement maintaining the levelest of toplines and with great reach and drive.

2nd Morss Mrs H & Monteverde Mr G ANGELONATO SHAKESPEARE OLVINGLAY (ATC ITA)

Classic short-coupled outline, with correct length of leg to length of body. Deep in body, balanced angulation, in lustrous coat and great muscular condition. Excellent feet and bone. Very exuberant dog who definitely enjoyed his day with his superb handler.

3rd Munro Mrs G ALIBREN READY TEDDY JW

Such a lovely boy, classic head with soft expression, shown today in great coat and condition. Strong muscular neck into correct layback of shoulder, level topline, short coupled. Great positive movement. All the essentials for a bright future.

RES Beck Mrs S SIMON BASSET DE RIA VELA FOR BEINANGUS (IMP ESP) JW

VHC Carter Mrs S & Mstrs E & A & Mr J KADAKA KAULDRUN JW

PGD (18 Entries, 5 Absent)

1st Perkovic Mr N LADY SUE D I Y (ATC HRV)

This dog had a lovely outline and outmoved the rest of the class. His presentation was not the best but you could not deny his quality. Unfortunately, he could not stand for the challenge as he withdrew due to being overqualified for this class.

2nd Beck Miss K & Mrs S DENMARELLA EVERYDAY THE SUN

Beautiful masculine head, oozing personality. Presents such a classic outline. Standing free drops perfectly into his angles. Good length of clean strong neck into excellent shoulder construction, balanced angles at rear. Excellent muscle tone to enable him to prove construction with great reach and drive and maintaining a level topline.

3rd Foreman Mr G & Mrs T AMBERSUN ALIVE AND KICKING

Excellent body proportions with correct length of loin and leg length to produce the desired shape. Good strong bone and muscular condition to power him round the ring.

RES Gerhold Mrs J NAVILIS NOUVEAU VENU (IMP UKR) JW

VHC Wallis Mrs K & Mr A BLUE GEMSTONE KATRINA

MLD (17 Entries, 4 Absent) Another class of superb quality

1st Towers Mrs S & Henderson Mrs M ALIBREN BAKER'S BOY

Presented and shown to advantage, in full coat and hard muscular condition. Masculine quality head and expression. Strong muscular neck flowing into correct layback of shoulder and level topline. Stood 4 square on neat feet, and dropped perfectly into his angles. Won the class with his great free movement covering the ground with reach and drive and maintaining his level topline and tail carriage.

2nd Bolton Mr RC & Mrs J DANTASSIE GOLDEN GUN FOR SHIRESMILL JW

Another I have admired for a long time, such a superb well-balanced outline. Classic head with melting expression.

Muscular clean neck of good length into correct shoulder layback. Deep in chest, short in loin. Well-muscled angulated quarters. He moved really well with great head carriage, great reach and drive and level topline.

3rd McGeoch Mrs AL NEDLEZAH LOCHLEA

Another lovely boy with a classic assembly. Loved his head and smiling expression.

Superbly presented, his excellent construction and good muscle tone ensured that he moved true with good reach and drive.

RES Ogilvie Mrs L LINIRGOR PLAY MY SONG FOR GLENBUIE

VHC Bawden MBE Miss CL BALSAMINA BEACHCOMBER AT DARTHILL JW

LD (18 Entries, 7 Absent)

1st Clarkson Mrs FM DRUMKILTY QUEST FOR STARDOM (RE IMP)

Lovely quality boy, now matured nicely with good muscle tone. Everything just as it should be. Strong neck of good length flowing into excellent upper arm shoulder assembly. Strong level topline, and correct tailset. Short coupled, in super coat, he carried himself proudly and moved with great reach and drive and positive foot placement.

2nd Catterall Mr BW & Jackson Mr MT GOLMAS GUARDSMAN JW

Another quality boy slightly longer cast than 1st. Handsome boy with lovely expression. In great coat and condition.

Best I’ve seen him shown today, he stood 4 square with correct foot placement and wagged happily. On the move his profile movement was exceptional, covering the ground with long strides powered by his muscular hindquarters.

3rd Woods Mrs MI DAILY RAYS HOPE OF HEART TO AMIRENE (IMP FIN)

Such an honest boy of lovely proportion. Excellent balanced angles front and rear. The most beautiful of heads, shown today in lustrous coat. He really strode out on the move maintaining a level topline.

RES Bolano Mr J GREY GOOSE LA CHISPA ADECUADA (ATC ESP)

VHC Kinchella Mrs T & Mr P HONEYMILL ELDER WARRIOR

OD (35 Entries, 7 Absent)

1st Dunbar Miss L SH CH LINIRGOR TOMICH JW

Coming up to his 7th year and still looking like a youngster. Very sound balanced construction with strong bone. Muscular clean neck of good length leading into correctly angulated forequarters, deep in body, short coupled. Well-muscled rear quarters. He out-moved everyone in this high-quality class to win.

2nd Lopez Mr A SP CH CHECKMATE DE RIA VELA (ATC ESP)

Very mature and well put together for his just over 2 years …….. Excellent quality male, displaying substance and excellent coat. Great head with depth of muzzle and soft expression. Straight bone, neat feet. Correct angulation fore and aft. Short coupled with correct leg length to balance. A Great Mover from all angles displaying drive and purpose.

3rd Carro Mr B & Mrs B MULTI CH BACK TO THE FUTURE DE LAR DE CASANOVA (ATC ESP)

Lovely quality boy, so well balanced with sound construction. Well chiselled head with soft expression, sound positive movement

RES Birkin-Green Mrs S & Gripton Mr JWI & Mrs H SH CH SANSUE KEEP THE MAGIC JW

VHC John Mrs K & Arminger Mrs V I'M TERRA ANTYDA RIGHT ONE (ATC AUT)

SWGD (13 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st Savage Miss K IR SH CH WEISFORD GUILTY AS SIN (IKC)

Well, this boy had to be my ‘Bestest’. No matter when I looked at him, he still had everything in the right place. He just walked into his perfect stance. ‘Simple as that!’ A picture of balance, moderation, power and beauty. I’m not writing what the standard says he should look like ……… because he does. He and his owner never stopped smiling. This dog’s attitude is a glowing example of: “Having the desire to please his owner”.

His fantastic construction powered him round the ring smoothly, elegantly, powerfully. He never put a foot wrong so for me, so he had to win this class, be my Best Dog and in agreement with my co-judge Ray Strudwick be Best of Breed. In the Group he was a great representative of our breed.

2nd Towers Mrs S & Henderson Mrs M ALIBREN GALILEO TO WESTERVANE JW SGWC

Such a lovely boy superbly shown and presented in beautiful coat. So well-constructed and in hard muscular condition. He just dropped into his perfect frame. Defying his nearly 7 years, his movement was a joy to watch.

3rd Maynard Mr RC & Mrs LJE CH CHINNORDALE CUE CARD JW SGWC

Great example of our breed, not overdone in any way. Shown today in lovely coat and hard working condition. Rock solid topline that he maintained as he powered smoothly round the ring.

RES Salceanu Ms A INT SH CH/MULTI CH TRUBLISS WALK THE TALK (ATC POL)

VHC Williams Miss KJ BERRYMEADE COEUR BLIMEY AT BUSHEYHALL SGWC

.

GCDSD (25 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Kelly Ms K & Miss K SH CH/IR SH CH RAMCHAINE YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND IN ZENEVIEVA (IKC) JW

Eye catching boy, possessing all the essentials of a Top Quality Show Dog. Superbly presented and handled. He displayed such great showmanship and attitude, and totally loved the big ring with the opportunity to show off his balanced construction and free-moving powerful driving action.

2nd Kinchella Mrs T & Mr P HONEYMILL ELDER WARRIOR

This boy’s construction is so balanced and perfect, superbly presented and in lovely coat. The faithful bond he has, as he stares into his owner’s eyes, is a delight to see. Very fluent driving action with level topline and tail carriage as he powered round the green carpet.

3rd Munro Mrs G ALIBREN READY TEDDY JW

Quality boy who was so well balanced and sound throughout, mature level deep body, correct angles fore and aft and in great muscular condition. He loved the big ring and made sure he displayed his lovely free striding gait.

RES Williams Mrs L EVENINGHILL DETROIT RED

VHC Taylor Mr JM & Mrs BM ALIBREN ALDANITI AT TANNADICE JW